shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations by Marie-Bernadette PAUTET (la Chacolaterie)

Most of the cat shows organized in France are the contrary, the American-style judgement done according to the rules of the French avoids this drawback, since the result of the day federation LOOF. But there are many other ways will not be the evaluation of one single person, in which these feline beauty contests called cat but a sum of the cat results in all the rings. shows can be handled. After having summarized However, the cat must be able to stand being how a "traditional" works (shows moved all day long and being handled a dozen of organized under LOOF, FIFe, WCF or GCCF times a day ! rules for instance), the "American" type of cat shows (CFA, TICA) is described and the way in which the gain their championship titles is « Traditional » Shows compared in these different federations. In a traditional European-style show, whether following the LOOF rules like most cat shows held in France, the rules of the « Trad » or « Ring » ? Fédération Internationale In a so-called "traditional" cat show, Féline (FIFe), the ones of the each cat is evaluated by a single World Cat Federation or judge per show day. This judge those of any other must look in detail at all aspects of independent club, the way it the cat and write a report where he works is very similar. Every describes how the cat conforms to cat is being evaluated by a its breed standard. single judge, who writes a report on the cat describing its qualities and defaults Depending on the cat show, this compared to the relevant evaluation may be done in presence breed standard, and decides of the cat's owner to whom the to award a certificate to the judge may want to explain what he cat or not (obtaining its thinks of the cat, or in a more anonymous fashion certificate is often called "getting its point" for without the exhibitor being there. The extreme FIFe members). This certificate of aptitude is case is the one of GCCF (Governing Council of awarded for a given level, according to the titles the Cat Fancy, a British federation), where all the cat has won already. If several cats of the exhibitors must leave the show hall while the same breed and colour compete in the same judges examine the cats. class, only one of them can gain its certificate, In all cases, at the end of the show, the exhibitor even if the others would be worth it should there keeps a copy of the judge report. be no competition. I witnessed once a cat show where 10 females (obviously of the same colour : blue !) were competing in the CAC On the opposite, in an "American-style" show, the class (the first open class for adult cats) : only judge officiates in a "ring", and the stress is put on one got her CAC certificate. When several cats, the cat handling and presentation in front of the like in this example, compete in the same class, public. There is no detailed written report per cat, the judge sorts them out by order of preference but each cat will see every judge in turn. The and gives them the mentions "excellent", "very judges will sort the cats by preference order good" or "good" followed by a number indicating within each of a number of classes, which are their rank among the cats having had the same quite different from those used in the "traditional" mention. For example, if 7 cats were competing shows (for instance, males and females are together in the same class, one possible outcome compared together). could be "excellent 1", "excellent 2", "excellent 3", "excellent 4", "very good 1", "very good 2", So, the traditional judgement is probably better at "good". Only the cat classified "excellent 1" would giving the cat owner a more detailed idea of what get the championship certificate. his or her cat is worth compared to its breed These terms are chosen to please the exhibitor standard, but this evaluation may vary according (her cat being the most beautiful in the world, to the proficiency of the judge for this breed... On

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 1 that's well known !!!). In fact, their meaning is as double advice or maximise its chances of having follows (ref. to the LOOF rules) : its certificate abroad). The FIFe also applies this  excellent : cat very close to the breed standard, general principle of "one day, one certificate presented in perfect physical condition, (maximum)". harmonious, balanced, i.e. whose little These certificates are awarded to adult cats. In imperfections are negligible compared to its LOOF cat shows, a cat is deemed adult as soon qualities ; as he is 10 months old on the day of the show. In  very good (understand average...) : cat having FIFe cat shows the same rule applies. In other the major breed characteristics but showing federations, the age to be an adult cat may vary, some important faults, though not eliminatory, for instance it is often 9 months old in Belgium. compared to the breed standard ; Younger cats are called and can also participate in cat shows, but the certificates they  good (understand not quite good !) : cat not obtain do not build up to reach a championship having enough type, without any major quality title. According either to LOOF or FIFe rules, the or in bad condition. minimum age to participate to a cat show is 3 With certain clubs, it is possible to two months old. Some clubs, in Belgium or judgements the same day, by two different judges Switzerland for instance, allow even younger ; this is the case in some German or Swiss kittens to take part, in a so-called "baby" class (as shows. Only one of the awarded certificates will individual cats) or "nest" class (the whole litter be recognised by LOOF (which does not preclude together), and this as young as 10 weeks old ! the cat to register for both, in order to have a

Les particularités des expos GCCF (Royaume Uni)

The rules of GCCF are very strict as long as judges have not finished to evaluate the cats : the "decoration" of the cage must be restricted to a white bowl for water, a white litter pan, a white blanket without any identification of the cat or cattery. Exhibitors must not talk to the judges as long as they are not finished judging ALL cats, under the penalty of being disqualified. Both exhibitors and visitors must leave the show hall while the judges are proceeding with judging the open classes. In fact, the judges typically move a trolley along the aisles, and get each cat in turn out of its cage onto the trolley where they judge it. This method applies for all open classes (those for which certificates are awarded), and this process usually takes more or less all morning. Once having finished all the open classes, then everybody can relax a bit : cats are allowed some food in their cages, as well as a few toys. During the afternoon, the show goes on with the "side classes", some of which are really just fun classes. Many different combinations can be imagined for the side classes, such as age groups, competition level, month of birth, club affiliation, distance travelled to attend the show, or even tail length, best Abyssinian smile, most cute Somali, etc. Every cat must register in several classes, typically between 4 and 6 classes.

The strict rules explained here do not apply to the "Supreme Show", where only the best cats of the season may attend, and where cages are lavishly decorated. In this very special (and famous) show, the cats are held by assessors and brought to a ring where the judge performs its evaluations in front of the public, but always (at least theoretically) in an anonymous fashion.

There are quite a few differences between the number of points the cat must score compared to championship titles awarded by the different a total of 100 (for the "perfect cat" described by federations, and these differences most often the breed standard). The following table concern the number of certificates necessary to compares the conditions to obtain titles in LOOF, obtain the corresponding title, as well as the WCF and FIFe (according to 2007 rules). For

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 2 each of these federations, the table includes two one gives the minimum number of points the cat columns: the first one gives the number of must score for this level of certificate. certificates required for each title, and the second

LOOF FIFe WCF Champion 3 CAC ( 2 judges) 93 3 CAC (3 judges) 93 3 CAC (3 judges) 93 3 CACIB (3 judges) International 3 CACIB (3 judges) 3 CACIB (3 judges) in 2 different countries 95 95 95 Champion in 2 different countries in 2 different countries (including France) 6 CAGCIB ( 3 judges) Great 4 CAGCI ( 3 judges) in 3 different countries 3 CAGCIB (3 judges) International in 2 different countries 96 96 97 or 8 CAGCIB ( 4 judges) in 2 different countries Champion (including France) in 2 different countries 9 CACS ( 3 judges) European 5 CACE ( 4 judges) in 3 different countries 3 CACE (3 judges) 97 97 97 Champion * with at least 2 abroad ou 11 CACS ( 6 judges) in 3 different countries in 2 different countries Great 5 CAGCE ( 5 judges) 3 GCACE (3 judges) European with at least 3 abroad in 2 98 - - 97 in 3 different countries Champion different countries 3 CACM (3 judges) World - - - - in 3 different countries 98 Champion spanning 2 continents

* The European Champion title has been renamed Supreme Champion in FIFe

CAC = "Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat", Championship Aptitude Certificate CACIB = "Cert. d'Apt. au Championnat International de Beauté", International Beauty Championship Aptitude Certificate CAGCI (LOOF) or CAGCIB (FIFe, WCF) = "Cert. d'Apt. au Grand Championnat International (de Beauté)", Great International (Beauty) Championship Aptitude Certificate CACE = "Cert. d'Apt. au Championnat d'Europe", European Championship Aptitude Certificate CACS = "Cert. d’Apt. au Championnat Suprême" (FIFe equivalent of CACE) CAGCE (LOOF) ou GCACE (WCF) = "Cert. d'Apt. au Grand Championnat d'Europe", Great European Championship Aptitude Certificate CACM (WCF) = "Cert. d'Apt. au Championnat du Monde.", World Championship Aptitude Certificate.

As obvious from the table above, it is harder, each federation, the organisation of the show for especially for the Great International Champion the choice of the "Best" awards is often left to the title upwards, to get a title in FIFe than in LOOF organising committee's choices. Hence different or WCF. clubs may do it in different ways. These "Best" In addition to the titles above, corresponding to awards are often the occasion of giving a rosette, an international career, some national careers cup or of a cat-related present to the cat owner. exist as in LOOF where, since January 1st, 2007 They are highly prized by the exhibitors, but do the cats who take part in shows without crossing not result in any specific mention on the pedigree borders can still progress in their titles. The of the cat. They are mostly aimed at offering national progression is parallel to the international visitors a lively show with the presentation of the one: it requires the same number of certificates "nicest cats of the show" on a stage. and the same minimum score at each level, but In general, a "Best of Variety" award is given to the titles obtained bear different names: the cat estimated the best within its breed and champion, double champion, triple champion, colour, regardless of sex and age, but under the quadruple champion and supreme champion. condition that at least 3 cats of the same breed and colour take part in the show. However, this award is not given systematically, even if there During a traditional cat show, the most are 3 or more cats competing for this breed and spectacular moment for the visitors is the colour, if the judge estimates that none is really presentation of the "Best of Variety" and "Best in worth it. When there are less than 3 cats but the Show" cats. Whereas the certificates for getting judge wants to single out a truly exceptional one, titles as explained above are strictly regulated by

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 3 he may award this cat a "Special Prize", which is with other semi-longhair breeds, and Balinese or often called "Best of Variety". Mandarin (Javanese) cats in category IV. During a show, the organisers may also have planned a "breed special" to compare between themselves the cats of a single breed, or of a group of close breeds. These specials, which are prized by amateurs and breeders alike because the number of cats of the breed is much more than usual, may result in an additional series of "Best in Show", dedicated for this breed. But they can also be handled in a "ring" where the judge will order his 10 best cats, regardless of age or sex. This type of judgement is directly inspired from the American-style CFA or TICA shows which will now be described.

As for the "Best in Show", there is no strict rule but I will describe a typical way in which it is American-style judging done. Each judge selects the cat (or more rarely, The way in which a TICA show and a CFA show cats) he found most beautiful in each of the are handled is fairly similar. Every judge is following categories : 3-6 months male kittens, 3- installed in a "ring", i.e. a space with a table 6 months female kittens, 6-10 months male in the middle where the judge will kittens, 6-10 months female kittens, adult males, manipulate one by one all cats in adult females, neutered males, neutered females, competition in the show. and he does so for each coat length category. In contrast with traditional shows where an These cats are said to be "nominated for Best in assessor (a "helping hand" for a judge) Show". The judges then assemble together and comes to the cage to take each cat or ask vote to choose, among the nominated cats of the owner to take it to the judge, cats are each category, the one they prefer, for example being called on a microphone by their entry the best semi-longhair adult female, the best number in TICA or CFA shows. shorthair neutered male, etc.: they are their "Best Announcements go like "cats 120 to 128 in Show". Among all the "Best in Show" cats for a are being requested on ring 4 for Mrs X". given coat length category, the judges then The exhibitor takes her cat to the ring, choose the "Best of Best". where a semi-circle of cages is arranged In LOOF shows, there are 3 categories for coat behind the judge table. On top of each of length: longhair cats (only Persians), semi- these cages, the clerk will have displayed longhair cats (Maine Coons, Sacred Birmans, the numbers of the called cats (typically, Norwegian Forest Cats, Somalis, , with a blue card for males and a pink one etc.) and shorthair cats (Chartreux, British for females). The exhibitor puts her cat in Shorthair, Sphinx, Bengals, Abyssinians, the cage bearing the cat number, and can Burmese, etc.). In general, three "Best of Best" then wait in front of the ring to follow the are then awarded : the best Persian, the best judging. semi-longhair cat and the best shorthair cat of the With TICA rules as well as CFA rules, cats are day. In some cat shows, a further step consists in deemed adult as soon as they are 8 choosing between these three cats the favourite months old. In TICA, males and females one who is the "Best Supreme". compete together (as for the "Best of Other categories may be defined. For instance, in Variety" in traditional shows), whereas in FIFe shows, there are 4 categories instead of 3 CFA they are being evaluated separately to (and so, 4 series of Best in Show): determine the best in colour.  cat. I (Persians and Exotic Shorthairs) ;  cat. II (semi-longhair cats) ; TICA rules  cat. III (shorthair cats) ; TICA judging will partition the cats in 5 classes:  cat. IV (Siamese and Orientals).  : kittens of breeds eligible for The daughter breeds always remain in the same championship (they must be at least 4 months category as their origin breed, which explains why old, and not more than 8 months old) ; exotic shorthairs are with Persians in category I,  championship: adult cats in the breeds and Somalis with Abyssinians in category III instead of colours recognized for championship ;

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 4  alter: neutered cats ; 1st one, purple for the 2nd one and orange for the  household (HHP) : non-pedigreed adult 3rd one. And the selected cats earn more points: cats ; respectively 15, 20 and 25 points for the 3rd, the 2nd and the 1st of division.  HHP kitten : non-pedigreed kittens between 4 The judge may then select, among his "Best of and 8 months old ; Division", the best cats of the whole breed (the  new trait (NT) : cats of a colour not yet "Best of Breed"). However, this is purely recognised for championship but in a breed indicative and doesn't add up any more points for already recognised ; the cat.  new breed (NB) : cats of a breed not yet Once the judge has performed all his selections recognised for championship, but part of a for all breeds, he proceeds with his "final". The breeding program approved by TICA. This goal of a final is to select the 10 best cats. This class is further sub-divided between PNB number of 10 is not systematic ; it requires that at (Preliminary New Breed) and ANB (Advanced least 25 cats be in competition in this ring, New Breed). For example, during the 2006- otherwise the number of cats who can earn points 2007 season (the season goes from May 1st to by being selected in the final is reduced to less 30 April the following year), Savannah was a than 10. The selected cats will be ordered from PNB and was ANB. e.g. 10th to the first one. Every judge does this For a given breed, cats of the same choice independently from other colour are first compared between judges, therefore some cats may be themselves. After having handled selected for a final with a judge and them all, the judge selects a maximum not with another. of 5 cats which he ranks from first to TICA distinguishes between two fifth by putting on their respective types of finals, depending on the ring cages coloured ribbons inscribed with being an "allbreed" or "specialty" the words "Best of Color". Colors are ring. For an "allbreed" final, all the as indicated on the picture at right, the cats of a given class compete best one getting the blue ribbon, the together, whereas for a "specialty" second best one the red ribbon, etc. final, longhair cats and shorthair cats These ribbons (or cards) are called "flats". are handled in 2 separate finals. It's worth noting This first selection lets the cat earn respectively 5, for European people that longhair cats in TICA is 10, 15, 20 and 25 points for the 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd not restricted to persians but also includes all the and 1st place within the colour. These points will breeds called "semi-longhair" in traditional shows. add up with the others won by the cat and serve A cat selected among the 10 best ones in a as a basis to reach the championship titles. "specialty" final earns automatically 60, 70, ..., The color selection described 140, 150 points respectively for the 10th above is done for all coat colors best cat, the 9th best cat, ... the 2nd and represented in each breed. the first best cat, plus a certain number of Then the judge groups the best TICA Divisions points depending on how many cats have cats together for a given division been chosen with lesser ranks. In an (see the table of divisions). For solid "allbreed" final, the same principle applies example, abyssinians and tortoiseshell but the amount of points is higher: it starts tabby at 110 for the 10th cat and, with 10 more somalis belong to two divisions : silver/smoke points for each rank, it leads to 200 points the "tabby" division (for non- particolor silver cats) and the for the first one. Being selected in a final is "silver/smoke" division (for silver not only a way to earn points quick, it is cats). The judge will then also part of the necessary requirements to compare all the cats of a given division having get TICA championship titles. The table on top of received a "Best of Color" flat. He keeps the next page summarizes the criteria to a maximum of 3 of them and ranks obtain the different TICA titles. them, awarding them a coloured ribbon with the words "Best of Division". Colours for these flats are: black for the

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 5 Titre Points Minimum criteria regarding selections in finals Champion 300 participation to one final Grand Champion 1000 6 finals with 4 different judges, including 3 finals where the cat is among the 5 best ones (specialty) or the 10 best ones (allbreed). Double Grand Champion 2000 1 final as a Grand Champion where the cat is among the 5 best ones (specialty) or the 10 best ones (allbreed). Triple Grand Champion 3000 1 final as a Double Grand Champion where the cat is among the 5 best ones (specialty) or the 10 best ones (allbreed). Quadruple Grand Champion 4000 1 final as a Triple Grand Champion where the cat is among the 5 best ones (specialty) or the 10 best ones (allbreed). Supreme Grand Champion 6000 1 « Best Cat » as a Quadruple Grand Champion.

TICA Titles

CFA Rules CFA is a bit more complex than TICA regarding the classes where a cat can be engaged for a show. In fact, there are several sub-classes within the championship categories, or premiership categories. The term "premier" is used as an equivalent of "champion" for neutered adult cats. Judges will then evaluate separately the following classes:  kitten: 4 to 8 months old kittens, whether whole or already neutered ;  championship: full adult cats in the breeds and colors accepted for championship in CFA, A CFA ring subdivided in classes: novice: cats eligible according to their breed/color but not registered o premier: neutered cats registered with CFA with CFA ; and for whom a request for a premier title o open: cats registered with CFA and not yet has been made ; champion ; o grand premier: neutered cats registered o champion: cats registered with CFA and with CFA and for whom a request for a for whom a request for a champion title has grand premier title has been made. been made ;  household pet: non-pedigreed ; o grand champion: cats registered with CFA  veteran: cats aged more than 7 years old, and for whom a request for a grand whether full or neutered. Their owner may champion title has been made. choose to have them compete in this class or in  premiership: neutered cats in the breeds and the relevant championship/premiership class. colors accepted for championship in CFA,  provisional breed: cats belonging to a breed subdivided as above in classes: novice: whose standard has been provisionally neutered cats eligible according to their approved by CFA (the only case in 2007 is breed/color but not registered with CFA ; LaPerm, shorthair or longhair). o open: neutered cats registered with CFA  miscellaneous: cats belonging to a breed and not yet "premier" ; which is not recognised for championship but

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 6 accepted for registration by CFA (the only case belonging to several color in 2007 that I know of is the RagaMuffin). divisions, which is not the cas of The whole picture is in fact even more complex, Abyssinians or Somalis in CFA), because on top of the above classes, there are the judge will choose his "Best of "AOV" classes ("Any Other Variety") in some Breed" and "2nd Best of Breed" breeds, for those cats whose ancestors are and award them respectively a eligible for championship but whose phenotype brown and an orange ribbon. (e.g. color, hair length, ear conformity, tail length, The judge will also etc.) is not authorised by the breed standard. This choose the best is for example the case for "shorthair Somalis" among all champions and premiers (also called Abyssinian variants), which are part and give him or her the ribbon of of the Somali "AOV" class. "Best Champion/Premier of Breed", For a given breed, cats are first compared which is purple. between them within a given class and color, These awards will enable a cat who is separating males and females (which wasn't the already Champion (resp. Premier) to case in TICA). The judge selects his three best earn points towards his accession to cats (maximum) in each category and gives them the Grand Champion (resp. Grand Premier) title, ribbons for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place according to and these points are computed according to the the color code represented here : dark blue for number of cats he has defeated. the first one, red for the second one and yellow After he has finished judging all the cats in a for the third one. For example, given class, the judge will make a kitten final, a he will determine his three best championship final and a premier final in which ruddy male Abyssinians in he will select his ten or fifteen best cats of the open championship class, then category (the number depends on the number of his three best ruddy female cats competing in the show). The distinction Abyssinians in open between "allbreed" and "specialty" rings is the championship class, then his same as in TICA (shorthair and longhair cats three best ruddy male competed separately in a "specialty" final). It's Abyssinians in champion worth noting that in CFA as well as in TICA, class, etc. Somalis like cats of their "mother breed" The winner often also gets a red, white and bleu -Abyssinians- compete as shorthair cats and will ribbon in addition. These winner ribbons will then participate in the same finals together. In enable a cat in the open class to reach the status some shows, there may be additional rings which of champion (resp. premier) are dedicated to a breed or a division. once he gets 6 of them with at Being among the 10 best cats of a final earns least 4 different judges. points for the cat to reach the next championship Once the judge has finished to title: the first cat earns as many points as there see all the cats for a coat color are cats he defeated in this final, the second one group, in all classes and for both earns 90% of the first one's points, the third one sexes, he will award the "Best of earns 80% of the winner's points, etc. To become Color class" and "2nd Best of a Grand Champion, a Champion must Color class" ribbons which are accumulate 200 points. respectively black and white. Then, after having seen all the cats of a breed (or all the cats of a color division for those breeds

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 7 If you wish to know more…

If you wish to know more about the rules of any of these federations, here's a table with direct links to the web sites and show rules of the major federations listed in this article (LOOF, FIFe, WCF, CFA, TICA).

www.loof.asso.fr

direct link to the show rules: http://www.loof.asso.fr/expos/reglt_expos-en.php

www.fifeweb.org

direct link to download the English version of the show rules: http://www1.fifeweb.org/dnld/rules/show_rules_fr.zip

www.wcf-online.de

direct link to the description of the show classes: http://www.wcf-online.de/WCF-EN/regeln/ausstellungsklassen.html

www.cfa.org

direct link to read the show rules: http://www.cfa.org/Portals/0/documents/forms/14-15showrules.pdf

www.tica.org

direct link to download the show rules http://www.tica.org/members/publications/shw_rules.pdf

Cat shows : A Comparison Between Different Federations - © Marie-Bernadette Pautet page 8